The Essentials for Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

As the Miami Valley recovers from tremendous damage and loss due to tornadoes, we’re reminded that a natural disaster can strike at any time. When disaster strikes, we are dedicated to protecting our local community. From everyday preparation to immediate post-storm recovery, we recommend these three essential steps to protect yourself and your home from danger.

People Before Property: Make a Plan with Family and Friends

People always come before property. When preparing for a natural disaster, the first priority is making a plan with your family and close friends. Make sure everyone is subscribed to free weather text and email warnings. Weather.gov provides a list of alert subscription options so you can pick what’s easiest for you. Be sure all adult and teenage family members know how to shut off gas, electric and water lines if there's a leak or electrical short, and always keep needed tools in an accessible location.

Be Prepared: Assess the Risk for Structural Damage

After making a plan with your loved ones, it’s time to storm-proof your home or business. First, conduct a risk assessment to identify weak points. Disastersafety.org recommends roofing inspections to give you a realistic idea of whether or not your roof is vulnerable to natural disasters. Experienced roofing professionals can reinforce sheathing and replace gables that are prone to collapse. Ask your contractor if they recommend additional sealing around your home’s chimney or vent pipes. Secondly, mitigate additional risk by keeping up with the maintenance on your home. Keeping gutters and downspouts clear of debris can prevent water spillovers into your home. Trim large trees and bushes and remove dead tree limbs, as they can become projectiles during a storm. Lastly, assessing the financial risk of a natural disaster can help mitigate the stress of last-minute repair costs. Make sure you have adequate coverage in your homeowner’s or property insurance policies for natural disasters most likely to occur in your area.

Remain Calm: Ensure Proper Inspections and Repairs

Immediately after a disaster you may feel anxious to get things back to normal as fast as possible, but it’s very important to stay calm and use caution. Check the exterior of your home or business for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage, and be cautious about re-entering. Take pictures of everything, noting the date and times. While the presence of torn or missing shingles or cracks does not mean the building is unsafe to enter, post-disaster structures can have hidden damage, like mold, which can make your home unsafe in the long term. Contact a building professional to evaluate your property and make a determination.

When it comes to home and business repairs, the Better Business Bureau recommends avoiding high-pressure sales, hasty decisions, and door-to-door salesman. Instead, rely on local and accredited contractors with insurance, permits and written contract agreements. Be sure to get receipts for all recovery-related expenses.

If you are considering having your roof inspected or reinforced, call Enterprise Roofing today at 937-453-3933 for a free consultation.